Manipur annual plan 2011-12 finalized at Rs 3, 210 crores; PCI impressed by CM

NEW DELHI, February 21 (MIC): The Annual Plan for Manipur for the year 2011-12 was finalized at Rs. 3, 210 crores at a meeting held at Yojana Bhawan today between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh. The outlay includes a Special Plan Assistance (SPA) of Rs.800 crores for the State`s priority projects.

In his comments on the performance of the state, deputy chairman appreciated the efforts of the state government in expediting pace of development and also exploring all possibilities of public private partnership in the development of social and physical infrastructure. Initiatives aimed at improving governance were also appreciated. The state government was advised to develop a roadmap for the use of science and technology in expediting development.

Ahluwalia said that the Commission was in the process of working out a draft approach paper for the 12th Plan and was working to bring out an approach which was not only different from earlier plans but also had inbuilt mechanisms to plug all shortcoming of the development programmes. He said the state should come out with its experience so that the new plan had the ability to deliver better.

The Manipur Chief Minister requested for a substantial increase in the normal-plan funding to enable the state in improving the basic infrastructures and provide for both backlog share and current state share for centrally sponsored schemes. He said to address the problem of unemployment amongst youth; there was need of expanding skill development and capacity building programmes, assisting Self Help Groups and imparting vocational training in Manipur.

He also sought Special Plan Assistance(SPA) for taking up works related to roads and bridges, flood control and anti-erosion scheme, up-gradation of infrastructure in higher secondary schools and colleges, conservation of water bodies, construction of police stations/ outposts buildings, an improving transmission and distribution in power sector and drinking water supply.

Okram Ibobi Singh also mentioned that a minimum of Rs 500 crore was required for the ongoing SPA projects like conservation and management of Loktak Lake, Capital Project, Mini Secretariat buildings, completion of ongoing Accelarated Power Development and Reform Programme (APDRP) for Greater Imphal, completion of Sewerage Project for Imphal City and continuing infrastructure of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences.

The Chief Minister informed the Planning Commission that the State Government took up various resource mobilization measures during the current financial year 2010-11 by way of revision of tax and non-tax rates, streamlined tax administration through automation and setting of composite check posts at strategic locations. He expressed the expectation of higher contribution through the state`s own resources, in the resource kitty of the state during 2011-12.

The State Government proposed minimum Plan size of Rs 3470 crores incuding Rs 850 crores SPA for Annual Plan 2011-12 for Manipur.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by state power minister Phungjathang Tonsing, deputy chairman of State Planning Board Bijoy Koijam, Manipur chief secretary D. S. Poonia and other high officials of State Planning Department in the meeting.